Symposium Calls For Rangatahi To Explore Science In All Forms

The call for more young Māori to explore the sciences was a powerful message at the University of Auckland’s Pūtaio Research Symposium 2025, held in Whāngarei.

Led by the Faculty of Science at Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae, NorthTec, in collaboration with the University’s Tai Tokerau Campus; day one of the event held 4-5 September celebrated Māori innovation and resilience in research, education and community-led science.

Mana whenua keynote speaker, Matua Taipari Munro (Te Tai Tokerau), a respected kaumātua, educator and Te Amorangi at NorthTec, reminded those who had travelled to Whāngarei of the important role rangatahi play in the future of science.

“The important thing is to bring science to our people and encourage our young people to move into the sciences,” he said.

From the Faculty of Science, Professor Suzanne Purdy (Te Rarawa, NgāiTakoto) one of the event’s organisers said the symposium theme, ‘Maranga Mai – Rise Up!’ was proudly evident through the scholars and community leaders who travelled from afar.

“It’s been wonderful having all these great kaumatua and students speaking, with their experience from local kura, Te Tai Tokerau and Waipapa Taumata Rau. We’ve had beautiful talks about different aspects of taonga from the environment to sustainability.”

Speakers on the first day also included Professor Jacqueline Beggs, Matua Te Warihi Hetaraka, and Matua Bernard Henare from the University’s James Henare Research Centre.

The symposium’s kai-tohu-kōrero (MC) Geremy Hema (Ngāti Paoa, Te Rarawa) reiterated Matua Taipari’s words, adding it had been invaluable having experts and community leaders share the value of Matauranga.

“Even the weather cooperated with the sun shining, scholars have shared their insights echoing how Māori have long practised the field that has come to be known as science.”

Associate Professor of Māori Studies and Assistant Dean Research Māori in Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, Faculty of Arts and Education, Dr Dan Hikuroa, gave a compelling keynote speech, weaving together Indigenous knowledge and the power of worldviews in ‘Heeding the Taniwha’.

Hikuroa began by acknowledging the importance of the symposium and of taniwha - not as mythical creatures, but as embodied knowledge systems rooted in observation and environmental awareness.

“Heed the taniwha,” he urged, referencing how Māori oral traditions can guide decisions around infrastructure and keep communities safe.

He shared his own transformation - from a Pākehā scientist unfamiliar with Mātauranga Māori, to someone deeply informed by it. While teaching in Whakatāne during his PhD, he was instructed to include mātauranga Māori in his curriculum. Mentors helped him understand that Māori knowledge is precise, tangible and deeply scientific.

Using examples like the design of whare, the resilience of tōtara and the colours of Papatuanuku, Hikuroa illustrated how Indigenous knowledge is embedded in materials, place and practice. He described how Māori knew where to build and where not to build - knowledge initially ignored by town planners in 2005 who had sought to develop a major transport routes in areas that were at risk of flooding.

Hikuroa challenged the audience to embrace multiple worldviews, using Paikea and Te Ika a Māui as examples of pūrākau (Māori oral narratives) that explain natural phenomena through observation. Hikuroa reminded those present that science is a codification of knowledge, and Māori pūrākau are no different – accurate, evidence-based, reliable and deeply rooted in place.

He closed with a powerful reminder: when Māori say ‘there’s a taniwha,’ it’s not superstition. It’s a coded warning based on generations of environmental knowledge.

“If we hear taniwha, learn more about it - and heed it!”

The University’s Pūtaio Symposium is a biennial event to celebrate Māori innovation and resilience and to spark kōrero on sustainability, health, education, data sovereignty and weaving Matauranga Māori into scientific inquiry.

This year it was hosted in partnership with NorthTec Tai Tokerau Wānanga. Behind the scenes, former Science faculty kaiarahi Teariki Tuono played an integral role in bringing the 2025 symposium to life.

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